Seems like ever since Megaupload got seized other file sharing sites are starting to clamp down. I'm seeing a lot of links unavailable in the US and a lot of accounts being shut down. Just came across a couple blogs where Mediafire had suspended the bloggers' accounts. Finding links for things is still not difficult but it is not as easy and instant as it was. So far the torrent sites seem to be standing firm. But, all this is starting to make me think maybe we have all gotten through and perhaps are seeing the decline of the wold west music free for all.

Personally, I am more or less going more toward just buying the things I really want to hear and not paying as much attention to the 6,000 albums released every week anyway. I do think I enjoy music more when I am not sorting through a ridiculous amount of it.

Anyone else think we are starting to see a shift? (maybe subscription things like Spotify are the next era) If it gets harder to just grab whatever you want for free instantly will you enjoy music more or less? How do you feel about subscription services? Will/should they become tailored to tastes or should they just be as all-inclusive as possible?

Just curious what some other music obsessives out there are thinking about how it's all evolving lately.

I see a lot of small bands either ahead of or not caring about the curve and giving their music away for free through their own avenues (usually bandcamp or their own website).

Yeah, I have seen a lot of freebies on Bandcamp, or a lot of bands that let you stream and listen at Bandcamp but if you want to download they charge, which seems like a more than reasonable model to me.

I'm still loving good old soulseek, It may be a wee bit slow at times but I rarely fail to find what I'm after. I can also spend hours browsing other users files.

I don't know. It's hard to tell right now because there's been a recent "scare" due to the shutdown of Megaupload. So Mediafire is trying to take steps to protect themselves and avoid the same fate. But if there aren't any more take downs after a while, I could see things start to pick back up again. It just kind of depends on how aggressively and consistently the RIAA and the government are going after file sharing sites.

We've been here before, I think. Remember when Yousendit went to password-only, but that only led to other sites rising up to fill the void? It may be a little different now, but we'll just have to see, I guess.

Personally, I find it hard to understand why labels and artists haven't found better ways to crack down on leaks in the first place. Maybe a lot of them don't care, but I'd be willing to bet that a band like, say, Beach House, probably would prefer if people weren't listening to lower quality rips of their new album (where one the tracks seems to cut off prematurely) before they've had a chance to release the proper version to the public.

I'm sure bands and labels are open to suggestions. At this point I think advance copies (promotional or otherwise) get out and it's like putting your finger in the dam. I know at least one label that has copy + paste letter they send to file sharing sites to have them take stuff down. It works, but not in a preventative way. Plus it's time and manpower that not all labels can afford these days.

we're in a window now where people aren't buying nearly as much before hearing at least some of it. for instance, i can't remember the last album i bought without having either first seen the band or heard it through bandcamp/myspace/leaked copy.

i've so far not latched onto spotify like a lot of others have, but i'm definitely open to it if this trend continues where it's difficult to find what i'm looking for to preview. and while i like the idea of an all-encompassing service, that makes it harder to find new music. whereas if there are different similar services tailored to styles, it's easier to just search around and happen across something random that you like. it's the same with record stores. there are fewer record stores that have everything. but the ones surviving and thriving right now are those catering to niche (or, just a bit bigger than that) markets. i wouldn't be surprised if that carries over into these spotify-like services.

Spotify is the best thing to happen in ages. Addicted to it beyond words. Also, it's very, very easy to find new music on Spotify.

As far as 'free' music, there are tons of sites that are filling in for Mediafire and Megaupload. I haven't noticed a slow down at all really.

Yeah. Spotify is incredible. I've found so much good stuff on it since I started using it. I don't even have to pay for it to use it but I still do just because the premium features are awesome. And for the odd album that's not on Spotify or if I want to make a mix, I just torrent the album.

This. I can't remember the last time I downloaded an album. Nowadays a bulk of my listening is at work, so spotify is the go-to because I can just load up album after album. And, its becoming more and more in style for bands to let spotify have yr record a week or two ahead of time now. Seen it now with a few records.

I think many artists, at least rappers, give away more free music than ever before.

Virtually everything I want to 'hear' before i buy anymore is on Spotify or somehwhere being streamed prior to the release...i def. do not d/l nearly as much as I use to....I still buy the physical if i like what I hear though...

This, although I do agree with nobody that there are more sites that aren't available in the US.

I definitely download less because of Spotify.

i can't keep up with all the free music i get.

that's a big part of the problem.

Can I use Spotify through my (non-internet) mp3 player? Serious question, but I assume not. And if not, it's virtually useless to me.

Nope. Only Android/iPhones and iPod Touches.

it would be impossible to listen to all the free rap given in any given month.

I'm not on Spotify, but I've slowed down on my downloading lately. I find that it's cyclical with me, and right now I'm in that "I can't give things a real chance with that much material" mode. As far as availability, I don't notice a real difference since the Megaupload shutdown.

fixed.

... Finally went and looked up with Spotify was, d/l'ed, listening to the frank black album.

I do not want it announcing what I listen to on facebox, and I believe I've disabled that. Otherwise looks pretty damned useful.

Holy shit, is that TWO pedal steels on Monkey Gone To Heaven...? I can't figure out what's going on.

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i dont even know what spotify is

Spotify is a music-streaming service that started in Europe and recently joined the US market in the past six(?) months. I've had a paid premium account (unlimited listening + no ads for £10/month) since summer 2010 and love it. More details here...